"The players have to think about the second leg. They have to worry more about the first 20 minutes of the first leg than think about what has happened in the journey since the beginning of the campaign."
This is a warning from Ruben Amorim after Man United destroyed Athletic Bilbao in a superior position right at San Mames in the first leg of the semi-final. Before the loss, Bilbao forced the visitors to suffocate for the first 20 minutes. If it were not for Dani Vivian's red card, it is not known whether the "Red Devils" could have a draw to leave the Basque country or not?
Man United is the 134th team winning the first leg in the framework of the knockout series at the UEFA Cup/Europa League with 3 goals. 133 previous teams won the final and won tickets to continue even though the away goal law was still applied. Even now, M.U is the only team in the European Cup is still unbeaten after 13 matches from the beginning of the campaign.
The "Red Devils" have an impressive record at home in the Europa League this season. They have 5 wins, 1 draw. The last time they did not win was against FC Twente in September 2024, when Erik ten Hag was still the head coach.
Looking at the above statistics, the historical voice is almost completely in favor of Man United. However, Athletic Bilbao have never been an easy opponent. Before the semi-finals, the Basque team was the team that was considered the strongest. Everything was ruined by the red card too early.
Winning in the last leg of the first leg could not cover dozens of defects The Red Devils was performing in domestic leagues, from the Premier League to League Cup and FA Cup. They scored 6 goals in 51 minutes before Lyon and Bilbao, equal to the number of goals gained in the last 7 Premier League matches. If the achievement is still in the domestic league, M.U can completely lower the season in the 17th place in the context of Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton relegated.
Amorim understood the fragility of the collective he was holding in his hand. The shine of Casemiro, Bruno or Maguire is the end of the campaign but the team cannot just expect this trio of veterans. The factors are expected to tear the opponent like Hojlund or Garnacho are still harmless to the goal. In a match that will be played by the opponent in defy, M.U needs the Ma Thuong and the striker to perform that task.
Man United have set countless sad records in the last two seasons. 133 teams have previously safely advanced, the "Red Devils" should not be the first team to break this habit and set another unbelievable record.
